What sword styles would you consider elegant or brutal?

Question

I'm writing a story with two characters that work together as knights/mercenaries for lack of a better term. The two, for various reasons, style themselves as opposites, despite thier shared profession of killing. One is represented by strength, brutality, and darkness, whose primary weapon is a large warhammer. The second is represented by speed, precision, and light, whose primary weapon is a bow. That said, I want them to both carry swords as secondary weapons, and I can't figure out what style of sword I want each to wield, that fits thier respective styles of fighting. Any thoughts?

? · Accepted Answer

Big heavy swords wear you out faster, thin swords break easier. That's why the Roman gladius was so successful  Short (light weight) Thick (Strong) and quicker to jab or slice

Anything that can remove a body part would be brutal

Stabbing weapons for lack of a better term would be elegant

bluebellbkk · Answer

I don't see why you have to "figure out" anything. Why not just google images of swords and read up what kind of fighting they're best for?

Elaine · Answer

Elegant swords: kitana, sabre, scimitar 
Brutality: broadsword, claymore

The Lord Humungus. · Answer

The classic division would be one with a Claymore, the other with a rapier.

At least it was good enough for Fafhred and the Gray Mouser.

What sword styles would you consider elegant or brutal?

4 Answers